Mindful Moments: Discovering the Benefits of Mindfulness

Alexandra McArthur

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mind Matters: Creating Impactful Mental Health Awareness Posters

Students will create a mental health awareness poster based on a unique focus area to explore mental well-being and share their ideas with the class.

This lesson empowers high school students to creatively express their views on mental health, fostering empathy and encouraging open conversation while embracing diverse perspectives through unique focus areas.

Audience

High School Students

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Guided brainstorming, focused topic assignment, design, and sharing session.

Materials

Printed Poster Templates, Markers, Colored Pencils, and Other Art Supplies, and Mind Matters: Creating Impactful Mental Health Awareness Posters Lesson Plan

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Review the lesson plan and materials needed for creating informational posters.
Set up the classroom with ample space for poster work and sharing sessions.
Print out poster templates and ensure art supplies are available.
Familiarize yourself with mental health topics and the expanded list of focus areas: stress management, anxiety, depression, self-care, bullying, substance abuse, relationships, digital well-being, resilience, mind-body connection, admirations and gratitude, positive coping skills, reducing stigma, and seeking help.
Decide how to assign focus areas given that there are 10 unique topics. For 9 classrooms, consider rotating one topic or combining complementary areas if needed.
Consult Mind Matters: Creating Impactful Mental Health Awareness Posters Lesson Plan for detailed guidance.

Step 1

Introduction & Focus Area Distribution

10 minutes

Begin with a brief introduction to mental health and its importance.
Introduce the concept of focus areas. Explain that classrooms will work on a unique mental health theme chosen from the following list:
- Stress Management
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-Care
- Bullying
- Substance Abuse
- Relationships
- Digital Well-Being
- Resilience
- Mind-Body Connection
- Admirations and Gratitude
- Positive Coping Skills
- Reducing Stigma
- Seeking Help
Discuss each focus area briefly, providing context and examples for each. For instance, 'Seeking Help' emphasizes the importance of reaching out to trusted individuals or professionals when facing mental health challenges.
Address any questions and ensure students understand the assigned focus area for their classroom. If there are more topics than classrooms, clarify how topics might be rotated or combined.

Step 2

Brainstorming & Planning

5 minutes

Have students brainstorm ideas related to their assigned focus area in small groups or individually.
Encourage them to jot down key messages, symbols, quotes, or imagery that reflect their topic.

Step 3

Poster Creation

15 minutes

Students design and create their informational posters using the provided materials, ensuring their design clearly represents their classroom's unique focus area.
Circulate the room to provide suggestions and ensure that the key themes of the focus area are highlighted.

Step 4

Sharing & Reflection

10 minutes

Invite students to share their posters with the class or display them in a designated area.
Facilitate a discussion on how the various focus areas, including the new 'Seeking Help' area, contribute to a wider understanding of mental health. Encourage reflections on insights, personal connections, and new perspectives gained from the activity.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments: Discovering the Benefits of Mindfulness

Students will learn about the benefits of mindfulness, engage in a brief mindfulness exercise, and then create a poster board reflecting their understanding of mindfulness.

Mindfulness can help students manage stress, improve concentration, and cultivate awareness. This lesson offers a hands-on approach by combining a short mindfulness session with creative expression through poster board creation.

Audience

High School Students

Time

40 minutes (10-minute lesson; 30-minute poster board creation)

Approach

Brief instruction followed by creative poster board activity.

Materials

Mindfulness Exercise Script, Calm Music Playlist, Poster Board Templates, and Markers, Colored Pencils, and Other Art Supplies

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Review the lesson plan and mindfulness materials.
Set up a calm, distraction-free space for both the mindfulness exercise and the poster board activity.
Prepare audio equipment for playing the Calm Music Playlist.
Ensure poster board templates and art supplies are available.
Familiarize yourself with the Mindfulness Exercise Script to guide the mindfulness session.

Step 1

Introduction & Mindfulness Exercise

10 minutes

Introduce the concept of mindfulness and its benefits (e.g., improved focus, reduced stress, increased emotional regulation).
Discuss how mindfulness can be incorporated into everyday life.
Lead a brief mindfulness exercise using the Mindfulness Exercise Script, with calming background music from the Calm Music Playlist.
Ask students to take note of any thoughts or feelings during the exercise.

Step 2

Poster Board Creation

30 minutes

Explain that students will create a poster board reflecting their understanding of mindfulness based on the exercise.
Encourage them to include key benefits, personal reflections, and creative representations of mindfulness.
Provide Poster Board Templates and art supplies for design.
Circulate the room to offer guidance, answer questions, and support creativity.
Remind students to integrate insights from the mindfulness exercise into their creative work.